JAMAICA NO MISTAIKA
Jamaica has been on my “to-do” list since I started thinking about travelling at the tender young age of 17! Still an avid Bob Marley fan at the ripe old age of 35, the alluring image of sandy beaches, friendly people and local herbs was too tempting to resist any longer. What better way to escape the nasty London winter than to spend New Years eve island style.

Air travel during peak season is not for the faint-hearted. Security has become such an issue that is it essential these days to allow for at least three hours check-in! My man and I missed our flight out of Fort Lauderdale to Montego Bay and ended up flying to Kingston instead, amazing-race style! Spirit airlines offer cheap flights once you’re in the USA and they’re worth checking out to save those well earned pounds and dollars! The long queue at immigration allowed us to check the various options of getting to our destination – the sleepy village of Negril.

Car rental was one of the more adventurous options, however we realised that the 3-5 hour journey may well have been extended well into the night once we had negotiated our way out of the Kingston airport and the potholed roads! Kingston was humid and crowded and we ended up catching one more flight on Air Jamaica straight to Montego Bay and were collected by the shuttle service offered by our trusty “Lost Beach Resort”. The “short” journey seemed endless, swerving potholes, people and goats! We realised how wise we had been not to attempt the drive!

Sporting dreads down to her waist, our wonderful host Jennifer welcomed us with open arms and we were shown to our self-catering cabin, in the last of a line of wooden cottages, totally private and secluded. Having survived a long distance relationship for six months, my man and I were in our element!

We awoke the next morning, eager to see our lost paradise in daylight. It was beautiful…A long stretch of beach, calm blue seas, quaint fishing boats alongside the water’s edge and peace and quiet. No hussle and no bustle, no rude shoppers pushing you in front of a bus on Oxford Street!

Our first excursion took us by boat to Little Bay, where our Captain and guide showed us around the island. First stop was for a red stripe, the local beer, at one of the local restaurants. Next up was a trip to the most beautiful herb garden I have ever seen - nestled in a coral garden, growing as mother nature intended. There was a little black kitten playing amongst the buds, walking in step and just missing the large sandals of the cool hippie gardener who proudly showed us around. Respec! Then the highlight of the trip, a visit to Bob Marley’s house.

The now deserted building still has an energy surrounding it and the locals protect this historical landmark with pride. The circular architecture of the building lends itself perfectly to the sunrise and sunset rooms overlooking the bay, perfect for meditation and song. The interior of the house has been destroyed by an architect commissioned by Rita Marley – each panel has been numbered so that when shipped it can be put back together again. I doubt that the locals will ever let Mrs Marley move the house to England as she had hoped. Thing is, this house is already home.

Walking around Little Bay, I am reminded of how rich I am. Yes I have the digital camcorder and dollars in my pocket, but I am even richer for experiencing different culture and being open to a more simple life. The focus here is on community and the rastas believe in one love, that family helps family and that everyone is universally related. The locals grow their own vegetables, calaloo (spinach) and pick the ripe fruit of the Ackee (poisonous when not ripe!)

We were invited to cool off in one of the Bob Marley’s favourite spots – a natural cave pool, filled with crystal clear fresh spring water, guaranteed to take five years off my your age. Instantly I felt at peace in the water. My attempt at launching myself out of the water with the rope was not as graceful or as peaceful as I would have hoped. I bashed my head on the rock and was lost in a daze for quite a while!

Many a lazy day was spent in Jamaica, simply doing nothing. Now that is harder than it seems, but oh what a pleasure! We needed more time and decided to extend our trip for another 5 days!

We discovered Negril and all of its tourist traps, including Jimmy bufer’s MargharitaVille, boasting 52 flavours of Margaritas and enough TV’s to satisfy any American Footballer and give me a major headache.

Taxis are easy to organise, and in particular the bike taxi on a 50cc motor cost less than a dollar and is quite an experience. The trick is to see just how much shopping your driver can carry whilst driving!

Another highlight of the trip came in the formof a purple “Shadow” motorbike – big enough for two and small enough to avoid the paranoia of skidding out of control, avoiding a goat or soccer ball on the road! We cruised through Negril, stopping off at Rick’s Café where we dove off the high cliff and felt the pulse of adrenalin slap our bits and bobs! We finished the perfect day with a spin on the desserted beach and felt the wind in our hair and the freedom that comes with it.

We sipped cocktails at Pirates Cove and watched through the blow hole as waves treacherously smashed against the cave wall. Bandits used to hide their stash in the caves and pray that they would not get busted by the sea or the local police.

As a foodie, I had my favourites – freshly brewed Blue Mountain Coffee with condensed milk; jerk chicken; jerk pork; jerk sauce with everything!

Sap juice – a fruit resembling the taste of banana, mixed with cinnamon.

The local bakery’s special chocolate brownies with a buzz….. mmmmmmm.

Lobster thermador from Kuyaba restaurant.

Jackie’s on the reef was an idyllic spiritual haven, with loads of interesting books to look through, sparkling crystals and interesting artefacts made for an incredible visit. Hurricane Ivan has transformed the landscape recently, uprooting trees and leaving behind huge rocks from the ocean.

Negril’s seven mile beach is littered with tourists and traders, offering everything and anything you could possibly ask for. However we were never pushed into buying anything that we were not interested in.

A sea trampoline for the kids and adults, jet-skis, para-sailing, boating, hair braiding, jewelley shopping, wood crafts, recreational pharmaceuticals, the lot!

After 7 days in our rustic cabin with even rustier fans and a pee-ing toilet only, we were kindly upgraded to one of the more luxurious one bedroom apartments in Lost Beach Resort. Oh Aircon, you blessed invention! Not to mention Mr Crapper’s flushing machine!

There are no rules in Jamaica. Blessed is Jamaica and all of its people. “No problem” the mantra.

What more could you want from a holiday?

one love
[Namboy's gal!]